The report, which claims to break new ground by outlining the parallels between the two issues, looks at the way the rules governing both industries have changed in the past few years and the links between problematic gambling and heavy drinking.

It argues that public health practitioners which specialise in, or encounter problematic gambling, can learn lessons from approaches adopted in the alcohol field to limit misuse and protect communities from harm.

These include imposing tougher restrictions on marketing and decreasing the availability of the activity.

The report found that one in six respondents who had sought help for alcohol misuse admitted that they had experienced problems with gambling while 94% agreed that addiction treatment services should consider providing treatment for gambling addiction.

Mark Leyshon, spokesman for Alcohol Concern Cymru, said: “Both alcohol misuse and excessive gambling can be regarded as significant public health problems, with adverse consequences to individuals and the wider society.

“There has been a wealth of research in recent decades that provides evidence of potential solutions to reducing alcohol misuse. Gambling research is much further behind, possibly because the concept of gambling as an addiction is a relatively new one.

“It is likely, however, that mechanisms proposed in the alcohol field may be equally effective in curtailing problematic gambling.

“As the gambling and alcohol industries expand, investing in increasingly sophisticated marketing and technology, the normalisation of alcohol consumption and gambling participation is likely to continue at a steady pace. Without the necessary restrictions, there is a real danger that this will be matched in future by more people suffering alcohol and gambling problems.”

Recommendations made by the report include further research into identifying problematic gambling and new treatments, making screening for gambling problems routine in substance misuse services and giving greater protection to young people.

Dr Raman Sahkuja, chair of the Royal College of Psychiatrists in Wales’ Faculty of Addictions, said: “Pathological gambling appears to share symptom similarities with addiction. In addition, there is evidence that the prevalence of gambling and problem gambling is significantly raised amongst clients of alcohol and drug treatment services.

“While fewer people suffer gambling problems than they do with alcohol, such problems can destroy their lives and their families. It is vital that access to appropriate advice and treatment is available and well-funded, especially when considering that often people with alcohol problems participate in unhealthy gambling, and vice versa.”

Professor Jim Orford, spokesman for Gambling Watch UK, said: “The field of gambling studies has a great deal to learn from its alcohol counterpart, which is much better and longer established.

“Problem gambling is now as prevalent as the problematic use of illicit drugs, but gets minimal attention by comparison. We need to start taking it far more seriously.”

The report follows statistics released earlier this week by the Welsh Government which outlined the extent of alcohol and drug misuse in Wales.

More than 7,500 referrals for treatment for misuse were made between July and September 2012, with 57% of these related to alcohol.

Yesterday, Health Minister Lesley Griffiths outlined her latest delivery plan to tackle substance misuse during the next three years.

Actions include a plan for responding to the threat of new and emerging trends in substance misuse, better integrated care pathways for substance misuse service users and more than £1.18m funding to improve treatment facilities.

Ms Griffiths said: “Drug and alcohol misuse has a devastating effect on individuals, families and communities throughout Wales.

“The focus will continue to be on preventing misuse in the first place, supporting those with misuse problems as well as their families, and tackling the availability of drugs and alcohol in our communities.”

WalesOnline is part of Media Wales, publisher of the Western Mail, South Wales Echo, Wales on Sunday and the seven Celtic weekly titles, offering you unique access to our audience across Wales online and in print.